TRAUMA IN EGYPT – AT 10:23 A.M. ET:  We have a tendency, as we've pointed out here, to take our eye off a major story when another one comes along.  Thus, we dropped everything when Navy Seals dropped bin Laden.  And we had  our week of the raid.

But there are other things happening, and they may have a profound effect on us and the war against Islamic extremism.  Consider:

Cairo (CNN) -- Egypt's prime minister called for an emergency Cabinet meeting Sunday, a day after officials reported at least 12 people were killed in sectarian clashes outside a Cairo church.

Officials said the violence began over rumors that a Christian woman who converted to Islam was being held at the church against her will.

Prime Minister Essam Sharaf postponed a trip to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the church attack, according to EgyNews, Egypt's official news agency. Egyptian state TV said 10 people died and 232 were wounded in the violence Saturday. At least 190 were arrested.

Tensions between Egypt's Muslim majority and its Coptic Christian minority have been on the rise in recent months, with a number of violent clashes reported between the two groups.

During clashes on Saturday, witnesses said an armed group of Muslims marched on Saint Mena Coptic Orthodox Church, one of the oldest churches in Egypt.

Witnesses said Muslims and Christians exchanged gunfire, sending people running for cover.

"With my own eyes I saw three people killed and dozens injured," said Mina Adel, a Christian resident. "There's no security here. There's a big problem. People attacked us, and we have to protect ourselves."

This comes only weeks after Muslim extremists in one of Egypt's states demanded the removal of Christian officeholders.  And it comes amidst almost daily reports of the growing power of the extremist Muslim Brotherhood.

The United States is desperately trying to hold onto its relationship with Egypt, which was fine under ousted President Hosni Mubarak, who now appears mild compared to some of those who might replace him:

The Obama administration has decided to provide about $1 billion in debt relief for Egypt, a senior official said Saturday, in the boldest U.S. effort yet to shore up a key Middle East ally as it attempts a democratic transition.

The aid would be part of a major economic aid package that also includes trade and investment incentives, officials said. It is intended to help stabilize Egypt after demonstrations forced out longtime President Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11.

While the Obama administration has been preoccupied of late with the war in Libya and protests in Syria, it sees Egypt as even more critical for U.S. interests. Washington has long regarded Egypt as a moderating influence in the Middle East. With one-quarter of the world’s Arabs, Egypt could emerge as a democratic model in the region — or, if its revolution fails, a locus of instability or extremism.

If it fails?  I'm afraid it's already failing.   The Arab world tends toward extremism.  Its population has been propagandized for decades, its educational system geared toward conspiracy theories and a warped, medieval view of history.  Egypt is already moving closer to Iran, another country which experienced a failed revolution, leading to the current thug regime.

We will have our hands full in the Mideast.  And the Navy Seals may not be able to save Obama this time.

May 8, 2011